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Sex-Related Online Behaviors, Perceived Peer Norms and Adolescents’ Experience with Sexual Behavior: Testing an Integrative Model

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  • Suzan M Doornwaard
  • Tom F M ter Bogt
  • Ellen Reitz
  • Regina J J M van den Eijnden

Abstract

Research on the role of sex-related Internet use in adolescents’ sexual development has often isolated the Internet and online behaviors from other, offline influencing factors in adolescents’ lives, such as processes in the peer domain. The aim of this study was to test an integrative model explaining how receptive (i.e., use of sexually explicit Internet material [SEIM]) and interactive (i.e., use of social networking sites [SNS]) sex-related online behaviors interrelate with perceived peer norms in predicting adolescents’ experience with sexual behavior. Structural equation modeling on longitudinal data from 1,132 Dutch adolescents (Mage T1 = 13.95; range 11-17; 52.7% boys) demonstrated concurrent, direct, and indirect effects between sex-related online behaviors, perceived peer norms, and experience with sexual behavior. SEIM use (among boys) and SNS use (among boys and girls) predicted increases in adolescents’ perceptions of peer approval of sexual behavior and/or in their estimates of the numbers of sexually active peers. These perceptions, in turn, predicted increases in adolescents’ level of experience with sexual behavior at the end of the study. Boys’ SNS use also directly predicted increased levels of experience with sexual behavior. These findings highlight the need for multisystemic research and intervention development to promote adolescents’ sexual health.

Suggested Citation

  • Suzan M Doornwaard & Tom F M ter Bogt & Ellen Reitz & Regina J J M van den Eijnden, 2015. "Sex-Related Online Behaviors, Perceived Peer Norms and Adolescents’ Experience with Sexual Behavior: Testing an Integrative Model," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(6), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0127787
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127787
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sonia Livingstone & Leslie Haddon, 2008. "Risky experiences for children online: charting European research on children and the Internet," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 27076, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ethel Quayle, 2016. "Researching online child sexual exploitation and abuse: are there links between online and offline vulnerabilities?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 71260, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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